Hobsons Bay City Council will lodge an objection to a planning permit application, which is before Brimbank City Council, and that seeks to store hazardous chemicals in a warehouse in Brooklyn.
The application, which has been lodged retrospectively following the applicant already operating the storage facility for corrosives and combustibles, has been met with strong opposition from Councillors and the Brooklyn community.
The site is located in a large industrial precinct to the north of Geelong Road with residential Brooklyn located to its south.
Council's main objection is the close proximity of the storage facility to residential properties. The site is located only 420m from Brooklyn houses and 123m from the Federation Trail.
Council also objects to the application not being compatible with adjoining and nearby land use, not meeting clauses in the Brimbank Planning Scheme that centre on best practice community safety, environmental standards, amenity and quality of life for the local community, and failing to provide for the orderly planning of the area.
Public submissions on Planning Permit Application P412/2019 close on 2 July at https://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/advertised-plans. Brimbank City Council will then make a decision on the application. If Brimbank City Council refuses the application, Hobsons Bay City Council is requesting the site be vacated as soon as practicable.
As noted by Deputy Mayor and Cherry Lake Ward Cr Sandra Wilson
"The application contravenes the award-winning Brooklyn Evolution Strategy, which slates the area as a key employment node for Melbourne's west over the next 20 years. The strategy also earmarks Brooklyn as an area that will embrace, clean and green investment and development, as well as a great contributor to local employment, economy, image and placemaking.
"To say that this application concerns us greatly is an understatement. We need to send a strong message, on behalf of a very vocal and fed-up Brooklyn, that undergoes so much impost from the nearby industrial precinct. For this to happen on ours and Brimbank's watch is really disappointing as it says that we are not willing to take into account the people of Brooklyn and how something like this affects them."
As noted by Cherry Lake Ward Cr Tony Briffa
"The Brooklyn community has been disadvantaged and subjected to poor amenity and environment issues, including dust and odour issues for decades. It is deeply concerning and frustrating that the Brooklyn community have yet again been put in an unacceptable risk situation from industry so close to their homes. This application is outrageous. Brimbank City Council, the state government, local Members of Parliament and referral agencies like the EPA must put a stop to this and must take the health and amenity concerns of Brooklyn residents seriously.
"There is so much to be proud of in Brooklyn as the area grows and develops and unfortunately when we are faced with these sorts of applications – retrospectively, no less – it really goes to the heart of what we as a Council are trying to achieve under the Hobsons Bay 2030 Community Vision – planning decisions that are visionary, vibrant, accountable."
